I have been thinking about an Idea I have for the S&DR. Ever since the heritage railway world lost Longmoor, there has never been anywhere that a continues run has been possible. Looking at the route I can see that it would be possible to build an S&DR loop that would include Glastonbury, Wells, Shepton Mallet and Evercreech Junction. The South, West and East trackbed of the project would be built on the former S&DR alignments, where as the northern part would use where possible as much of the former East Somerset railway track bed with a new link around the south of Shepton Mallet to join up at the Canards’ Grave Site with the proposed ESR station and northern route of the S&DR to Radstock? Why am I considering this? Well to start with both Wells and Glastonbury are on the tourist maps and that would be one source of income to the project, secondly every year you have Glastonbury festival which could do with better public transport to get to and away from. You have a heritage project already in the area at the East Somerset Railway this could form the core of the heritage group if this is successful. You also have the Showground just outside of Shepton Mallet which could be once again linked to the national rail network via the ESR. Once you have the main loop in place, you can then think about links to Radstock, Bath and Bristol to the north. Cheddar Gorge, Burnham on Sea to the west and then south to Bournemouth and Swanage The whole project could in time link up to eight heritage railway groups/ lines: West Somerset East Somerset S&DR Heritage at Midsomer Norton Swanage Gartell light railway Shillingstone (North Dorset Trust) Avon Valley project as well Radstock to Frome line Plus you also have the Great Dorset Steam Fair every year. Rebuilding the S&D has so much going for it I am wondering if I have missed anything out.
Posted on: Sun, 31 Aug 2014 10:14:09 +0000
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